Update for the week Thursday, September 26 - Wednesday, October 2, 2019
THIS WEEK AT ST. MARY’S
SATURDAY 9/28 - The Orthodox Christian Witness Program: Spiritual Pilgrimage, of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Diocese of Worcester and New England, will hold 3 day-long Retreats at St. Mary's on the topic Walking the Walk: Church, Family and Mentorship Relationships. Anyone can register for one retreat or for all three.
The first retreat is this Saturday, September 28 from 9:30am-4:00pm (9:00am light breakfast), and is entitled Family Systems and the Church: Relationships, Attachment and Parenting Styles. This retreat is an opportunity to reflect on your personal journey with God within relationships, expand your inner awareness, and deepen your faith. The retreat will use small presentations, personal reflections, and small and large group discussions. Attendance to all three retreats is not required, although it could be beneficial. Although a donation of $35 per retreat is suggested (or any other amount), the donation is not a requirement for participation. Coffee, tea and a light breakfast will be provided (lunch is not provided). To register or for questions, please email IP.AlongTheJourney@gmail.com or call 617-274-8336.
SUNDAY 9/29 – Orthros 8:45am; St. Ignatius Catechetical Group, and Orthodoxy 102 (see Reminders, below) 9:00am; Divine Liturgy 10:00am, followed by Church School classes. This Sunday we welcome Fr. Peter Leneweaver, who will be officiating. (Fr. Antony is out of town until Friday, October 4. In case of emergency, please call Fr. Timothy Ferguson at 617-323-0323.)
+ After Liturgy there will be a presentation to the parish on best practices for increased awareness and safety for when faced with an unsafe environment. The presentation will include human response to crisis and best practices for safety and risk indicators/behaviors. The Parish Council has decided to offer this informational session given what has been unfortunately occurring in meeting places of assembly throughout the world. Please plan to stay for this important presentation.
THIS WEEK ELSEWHERE
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS – All people and the animals they love are welcome at the 2019 Blessing of the Animals at New Skete Monasteries, in celebration of the Feast of Saint Francis, on Saturday, September 28. Go to newskete.org for the schedule of the day.
NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS
OCTOBER IS YOUTH MONTH – During the Month of October, at St. Mary and throughout the archdiocese, our teens will be taking an active role in the Liturgy by helping with communion, taking collections and reading the Epistle. To get involved, please see Theo Smith.
+ On Sunday, October 20 the teens will request your financial donations to enable them to sponsor the 39th Annual Special Olympics Sports Camp, at Antiochian Village. Please be generous.
YOUNG ADULTS APPLE PICKING – The Young Adults would like to invite all members of our Parish community to join our young adults on Sunday, October 6th for an afternoon of apple picking and fellowship at Honey Pot Hill Orchard. Apple cider donuts and your first bag of picked apples on us! If interested please RSVP to Katie Boardman at kboard@bu.edu by Thursday, October 3.
PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS - If you are interested in serving on the Parish Council please speak to Mary Winstanley O’Connor or Fr. Antony by Sunday, October 27. To be eligible to serve you must be a member of St. Mary’s for two years and in good financial standing.
COME SEE THE MESSIAH – Join friends from St. Mary’s for the Handel and Haydn Society’s annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, on Sunday afternoon, December 2, at 3:00 pm. Tickets are just $29 ($36 without our group discount!). We will carpool to (or meet at) Symphony Hall after Liturgy and have lunch together at a nearby restaurant before the concert. Those who have done this before have thoroughly enjoyed it - not only do we hear a world-class orchestra and chorus with famous soloists singing glorious words (taken directly from the Bible), but we also have an opportunity to spend time getting to know some fellow parishioners we normally may not encounter. Good seats go fast - please contact Melissa Nassiff at mnassiff@gmail.com by Sunday, November 3.
ANNUAL BAZAAR - St. John of Damascus Annual Bazaar will be held Friday-Sunday, November 1-3: Friday 12pm-9pm, Saturday 10am-9pm, and Sunday 12pm- 2pm. 300 West St., Dedham. Featured will be Middle Eastern Cuisine, Country Store, Christmas Corner and more. For more information visit www.stjohnd.org/bazaar.
SPAGHETTI DINNER – On Sunday, November 10 following Liturgy, the teens at St. Mary invite you to a Teen SOYO Spaghetti and Meatball Dinner featuring Spaghetti, Meatballs (just before the Fast!), Salad, Bread, Dessert and Coffee/Beverage. A suggested minimum donation of $5.00/person will be greatly appreciated. (No charge for Teen SOYO members)
REMINDERS
ENQUIRERS’ CLASS – The St. Ignatius Catechetical Group (Enquirers’ Class) has begun meeting on Sundays at 9:00am in the hall. Enrollment will be open until October 20. The group is for non-Orthodox adults who are interested in exploring the Christian Faith as it has been – and continues to be – understood, preached, and lived by members of the Holy Orthodox Church. Bob Kowalik will be teaching the group. If you would like to participate, please talk to Bob during coffee hour; or get in touch by phone 617-889-3436 or r.kowalik@comcast.net. For those seeking to be received into the Orthodox Church, participation in the group and Fr. Antony’s blessing are required.
ORTHODOXY 102 – Orthodoxy 102 is an Adult Sunday Class designed for Christians who've spent many years in the Orthodox church, but have never been given formal teaching on the theology and liturgical structure of the Eastern Christian faith. This new class meets weekly at 9:00am to journey through the structure of the Divine Liturgy, while taking an in-depth look at Scripture, the Ecumenical Councils, our iconography, and the meaning and application of Orthodox theology. If you would like more information or would care to join, please email drjamesis@gmail.com (Or introduce yourself to Subdeacon James on Sunday following the liturgy).
CHANT CLASS and VESPERS – On Saturday, October 5 there will be a Chant Class at 4:00pm and Great Vespers at 5:00pm.
+ After Vespers the Young Adults will be going for dinner together to a nearby restaurant.
WOMEN’S CLUB - The next Women’s Club meeting will be Sunday, October 6 after Liturgy, during Coffee Hour. The St. Mary Women’s Club does charitable work locally, nationally and internationally, and also supports the Church School. And we hold delicious fund-raising events! We invite all women of the parish to join us at our monthly meetings. E-mail Melissa Nassiff (mnassiff@gmail.com) if you have any questions or would like to join us.
FAMILY CAMP – You’re invited to Diocese Family Camp Friday-Sunday, October 4-6 at St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH. Families from our Diocese come together for a weekend of camp activities, prayer, relaxation, fellowship, and learning. More information and pictures can be found at www.soyofallcamp.org. Registration information will be posted soon.
FOOD, BAKE, & YARD SALE – On Saturday, October 12, St. Micheal’s Cotuit will hold an International Food/Bake and Yard Sale, 10:00am-2:00pm with the widest selection of homemade ethnic food on Cape Cod.
BAKE SALE – The St. Mary Women’s Club will hold a Charity Bake Sale on Sunday, October 20 immediately following Liturgy in the church hall. All proceeds will benefit the charitable projects we sponsor, from the YWCA Family Shelter in Cambridge to the Antiochian Women’s project. Contact Renay DiFiore at renayanddon@aol.com or 617-327-6361 if you can help bake and/or donate.
MEMBERSHIP SUNDAY – We’ll be sending out the 2020 pledge cards in October this year, so Membership Sunday will be Sunday, October 20. There will be a table set up during coffee hour where people can sign up to join St. Mary’s parish. We’ll be able to answer questions about membership and ways to give, financially and by volunteering time and talents. We’ll also be able to answer questions about eGive.
BAZAAR & FOOD FAIR - St. George, West Roxbury will be holding their annual Bazaar & Food Fair on Friday-Sunday, October 18-20. Friday & Saturday hours: 10:00am-9:00pm, Sunday 12:00-3:00pm. Admission is free. Middle Eastern cuisine and Pastries, baked goods, Country Store, kids’ corner, handmade Holiday and craft items.
CPR/AED TRAINING - The Parish Council will be sponsoring a training session to cover CPR and AED use, choking prevention and relief, and use of Narcan, in the church hall on Wednesday, October 23 at 7:00 pm. The class will be limited to the first 10 Parish members to sign up. The cost for members of St. Mary’s is $25.00. If there is room, others may participate for a $50.00 per person course fee. Please contact Raymond Sayeg at (617) 872-9774 or email at rsayeg@koilaw.com to sign up for the class. The deadline to sign up is Monday, October 14, 2019.
ST. GEORGE NORWOOD LUNCHEON – The 100th Anniversary of the Ladies of St. George Norwood will be celebrated with a Celebration Luncheon on Sunday, October 27 at the Four Points Sheraton, from 1:00-5:00pm. $45 per ticket. RSVP by October 10.
PARISH LIFE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE – The next meeting of the Parish Life Conference Committee will be on Wednesday, October 30 at 7:00pm in the Hall.
PARISH COUNCIL - The next Parish Council meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 6 at 7:30pm in the Hall.
CHOIR MEMBERS NEEDED - The Choir is looking for new members, especially Alto (woman) and Bass/Baritone (men), but of course we welcome all parts. Please e-mail Michelle Mabardy at mmmabardy@gmail.com if you are interested.
GREETERS NEEDED – The Greeter Ministry is a great opportunity to meet all the parishioners of St. Mary’s. As a Greeter, you will welcome people into the Church and help to direct visitors upstairs to the Liturgy, as well as keeping an eye on the Vestibule, Hallways and Entranceways during the service. Arrive at Church 15 minutes before Liturgy (9:45am). Greeting time ends when Communion starts. We hope you will consider being a greeter! If you are interested, contact Buddy Mabardy, buddy@cjmabardy.com or 781-729-6303, or the church office, secretary@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org or 617-547-1234.
JOIN THE HOSPITALITY GROUP – The St. Mary’s Donald DiFiore Memorial Hospitality Group works to build community among the larger St. Mary’s Congregation, so that we can come together in service, celebration and fellowship outside of liturgy and coffee hour. We need members to join us, and help with planning fellowship events such as Lenten Potluck Suppers, the Dormition Feast, our annual Picnic, etc. Even if you could commit to just one event per year, this would help strengthen the sense of community and family in our parish. We also welcome new ideas for fellowship gatherings. Contact Diana Yousef at dymartinek@gmail.com if you’re interested.
JOIN US ONLINE - St. Mary’s Church services are broadcast live each week through an internet video stream. If you can't attend a service in person, or want to share this ministry with a friend or loved one, the live stream can be viewed at www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/live during regularly scheduled service times (see the schedule of services or online). If you have questions or comments about this ministry please contact us at live@stmaryorthodoxchurch.org
REFLECTION
If a single word of an earthly king causes great deeds to come to pass in his kingdom -- he speaks the work begins and is accomplished -- then will not the word of the Lord of all material and spiritual, visible and invisible creatures, accomplish everything He desires? Shall He speak and it not be created? Shall He speak and it not be done? O Almighty Power, able to accomplish everything in one single moment, do not leave us on account of our sins, and above all on account of our incredulity and despair, to be tormented by our own infirmities, lest we be destroyed like earthen vessels. Grant that we may not doubt in the fulfillment of our every right request.
- St. John of Kronstadt, My Life of Christ.
Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you yourself shall be a miracle. Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life which has come to you by the grace of God.
- Phillips Brooks
...we carry as in earthen vessels - that is to say, in our bodies - the Father's Light in the Person of Jesus Christ, and so can experience the glory of the Holy Spirit...
- St. Gregory Palamas, Those Who Practice a Life of Stillness